What is the difference between Dolby Digital and DTS ?

Question

....and which sounds is better?

Answer 1

Essentially the main difference between them is the compression rates.  DTS is not as compressed so generally has better sound quality (though people argue about it).

With HD formats (such as Blue Ray) it doesn't matter because Dolby TrueHD and DTS-HD are 'lossless formats' meaning the sound tracks are exactly as they were recorded by the studio.

Answer 2

From a technical standpoint Dolby Digital has a dynamic range (difference between quietest and loudest sound) of 96 dB. dts has a theoretical dynamic range of 144 dB. So dts is capable of greater nuance (if we were talking about an image we might say that dts has more shades of grey available or higher contrast might be more accurate).

As far as what sounds better, this has largely to do with your taste in sound and how the sound is mastered. If greater detail is to your liking then dts has more capacity for detail and most who care prefer dts.

I say theoretical dynamic range because there aren't any 144 dB systems out there (remember I am talking about dynamic range, not volume, so you start out with the noise floor which in a very quiet home theater might be 20dB so now the system would have to reach 164 dB). 125 dB would cause hearing loss and to go from 125 dB to 164 dB would require 8192 times the power. So if you could get to 125 dB with say 1000 watts then you would need 8 million watts to get to 164 dB.

Answer 3

Dolby Digital transmits at 684kbps and DTS transmits 1,500kbps (1.5mps).  The DTS is "less compressed" like everyone's saying and should "in theory" produce superior audio qualtiy.  Most people can't tell the difference.  These two competing audio formats are the "Coke and Pepsi" of digital surround.  Personally, I prefer DTS (and Pepsi), but I'm sure others would disagree.

All that aside, here's a link showing the similarities (and differences) between Dolby and DTS: http://www.avtruths.com/dolbydts.html